Mandisa Hundley, a gospel singer whose sturdy vocals have been applauded on “American Idol” and who later received a Grammy Award for finest up to date Christian music album, was discovered lifeless at her house in Nashville on Thursday. She was 47.
The Media Collective, which represented Ms. Hundley, confirmed the loss of life and stated in an announcement that the trigger was not identified.
Ms. Hundley, who carried out and produced music with Christian themes, was a fan favourite on “American Idol” in 2006 however grew to become the fourth of the 12 finalists to be eradicated.
She spoke overtly about her love of God, and her music resonated with followers.
Ms. Hundley famously stood as much as Simon Cowell, the “American Idol” choose, who has a repute for being intimidating. In her video interview for the present, she referred to her audition in Chicago, when Mr. Cowell, in an obvious joke about her weight, stated after she left the room, “Do we now have a much bigger stage this yr?”
Ms. Hundley stated within the video that regardless of the comment, she would nonetheless journey to Hollywood and face Mr. Cowell within the ultimate judging.
“After I received to Hollywood, I knew I needed to put my sport face on,” she stated. “I knew that I’d lastly get to talk my piece.”
“You harm me, and I cried,” she later advised Mr. Cowell. “However I would like you to know that I’ve forgiven you.” Mr. Cowell replied that he was “humbled,” and the 2 hugged.
Ms. Hundley advised The Oklahoman in 2006 that her religion helped her overcome Mr. Cowell’s hurtful comment.
“Meals has all the time been an issue for me,” she stated. “When Simon first made the feedback, it was a nightmare. However God turned it round. These phrases grew to become the impetus I wanted to kick-start my plan to reside a extra healthful life-style and get my consuming below management.”
She went on to file a number of albums, starting with “True Magnificence,” launched in 2007. Her Grammy-winning 2013 album, “Overcomer,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard High Christian Albums chart. It was her first Grammy after three earlier nominations.
Mandisa Lynn Hundley was born in Sacramento on Oct. 2, 1976, to John Hundley and Ruby Berryman. Her mom labored for the state. She sang at church and studied vocal efficiency at American River Faculty, a neighborhood school in Sacramento, earlier than persevering with her research at Fisk College in Nashville.
After school, she was a backup vocalist for Trisha Yearwood and Shania Twain.
She is survived by her mother and father and a brother, John Hundley.
On her 2017 album, “Out of the Darkish,” she addressed her struggles with melancholy, which she additionally wrote about in a memoir of the identical title, printed in 2022.
“My dream,” she advised “Good Morning America,” “is that this e-book shall be a device utilized in dwelling rooms and low retailers all around the world to assist immediate discussions about our psychological well being.”
Emmett Lindner contributed reporting.
